Display case



Feb. 5, 1935. c. D. BEDDINGFIELDY I 1,990,398

DISPLAY CASE Filed March 20, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. Q BEOD/NGF/HD INVENTOR 7 m 4? A2 A 770 NE V5 Feb. 5, 1935. c. D. BEDDINGFIELD 1,990,398

DISPLAY CASE Filed March 20, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 MMY v NR u Feb. 5, 1935.

C. D. BEDDINGFIELD DI SPLAY CASE Filed March 20, 1935 5 Sheets-$heet 3 l NVENTOR 0 0 BEDD/NGF/ELD Wow 5 77 ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 5, 1935 DISPLAY CASE Charles 1) BeddingfielrL New York, N. Y. Application March 20, 1933, Serial No. 661,756 I Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in display cases and particularly to improvements applicable to the type of display case shown in my pending application, Serial No. 626,876 filed July In said application is disclosed a construction of display case in which provision is made for displaying a variety of articles of different sizes, shapes and characters, each in the manner best adapted for the proper showing thereof, while at the same time a general uniformity of appearance and orderliness of arrangement is secured. In general this is accomplished by the provision of tiers of spaces of different sizes which may be divided into appropriate compartments by means of adjustable and removable partitions. Provision is also made for special displays of sale goods, this being accomplished by providing certain of the compartments with adjustable false bottoms. Means are also preferably provided for exhibiting show cards in connection with all the goods displayed.

It is an object of the present invention to pro'- vide aconstruction whereby display cases of the character described may be constructed wholly or partly out ofsheet metal which may be finished in anydesireii manner, either in a polished metal, painted, or finished in imitation of wood.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for covering such compartments as may be desired, with glass or other transparent plates which will protect the contents of the compartment while permitting the same to be seen.

Another object of the invention is to provide means usable in connection with a display case of the character described for still further increasing its flexibility and the variety of the possible arrangements thereof. More specifically, means are provided by the present invention for the ready display of sale goods in any part of the display case and which may be moved from one location to another with the sale goods therein without repacking such goods- The pres-' ent invention also provides means for affording a raised flat surfaced stand or counter upon which special displays may be mounted, or which may be used for a wrapping counter, change counter, or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for adjustably supporting the false bottoms of the compartments.

Further objects and advantages of the inven-- tion will appear from the following detailed description of one form. of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one preferred form of the invention;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display case embodying one form of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a reversible receptacle and counter member adapted to be mounted in a display case; a

Figure 3'is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a portion of the rear wall of the display case showing one of the partition receiving notches;

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the display case. I

Figure 5 is an end view of one of the partitions for the smaller compartments of Ithe'display case;

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on line 6-6 of Figure 4, parts being broken away;

Figure 7 is a detail view in side elevationof the lower front portion of one of the removablepartitions for the larger compartments showing one position of the movable supporting lugs thereon.

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the supporting lugs turned to their other positions;

Figure 9 is an end view of the parts shown in Figure '7;

Figure 10 is a view in transverse section show-. ing a portion of the glass cover and its hinged support separated from the display case.

Figure 11 is an end view showing the display case mounted on an improved show case or counter construction;

Figure l2 is a rear view of the construction shown in-Figure 11 on a reduced scale.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be understood that the display case shown may be made of any desired length, preferably to extend the entire length of a counter or show case. The case shown is intended to bemade entirelyof sheet metal and comprises a bottom 10, a back 11, a front 12 which may desirably be made of glass, and an intermediate longitudinal vertical wall 13. Between the wall 13 and the front 12 are a series of compartments 14 for the display of small articles, these compartments being'separated by adjustable and removable partitions 15 which may be placed in any desired location to form compartments 14 of the requisite size.. The partitions 15 are preferably provided with bottom flanges which may be formed integral therewith by bending flange portions 16 in opposite directions at right angles to the bottom of the partition. The glass front 12 which pr rmits the goods in the front compartments to be more readily seen may be mounted in any suitable manner, preferably in a groove formed between wall is inserted a spacing plate 28.

,a flange 17 bent up from the front of the bottom and the vertical wall 18 of an angle strip of metal 19 which is spot welded or otherwise suitably secured to the bottom 10. In the front of the upper part of the vertical longitudinal wall 13 is formed a recess 20 having undercut grooves 21 and 22 at the top and bottom there of, and adapted to receive show cards 23. The recess 20 preferably extends unbroken throughout the entire length of the display case, thereby permitting show cards of any desired length to be placed therein. The length of the show card may thus be made to correspond with the length of the particular compartment 14, or the card may be made to extend over a number of compartments containing similar articles. The undercut groove 21 is made sufficiently deep to permit the show cards to be snappedinto position through the front of the recess 20, and itis unnecessary to provide slots in the top of the wall 13 to permit insertion of such show cards.

The upper part of thewall 13 is preferably made hollow. so as to give it thickness and a substantial appearance and is preferably constructed as follows: secured to the back of the front plate of the wall 13 is a sheet metal plate 24 bent into box-like form with an upper wall 25 and a lower wall 26, the latter carrying a flange 27 parallel with the plane of the wall 13 and between which and the front plate of the Flange 27, spacing plate 28 and wall 13 are secured together in any suitable manner as by spot welding. The top edge of the spacing plate 28 forms the bottom of thegroove 22. The front edge of the top portion 25 of the box-like plate is bent down to form a flange 29 which forms the front wall of the groove 21. The back of the show card recess 20 is formed by a filler plate 30 which has flanges 31 at top and, bottom extending to the back of the recess formed by the plate 24. A spacing and reenforcing plate 32 is preferably provided between'the upper flange 31 on the plate 20 and the top member 25 of the box plate. Offset tongues 33 are'preferably punched out of the back plate 24 at intervals so as to provide upwardly opening card holding recesses 34 for a purpose which will be explained later.

The wall 13 is preferably mounted on the bottom 10 by having a horizontal bottom flange 35 spot welded to the bottom.

The rear wall 11 comprises a lower plate 40 which has a bottom flange 41 bent under and welded to the bottom 10 and which plate 40 is provided with a series of rectangular apertures for the reception of drawers to be described. The upper part of the rear wall is preferably formed as a box-like structure comprising a rear wall 45 which has forwardly bent top and bottom flanges 46 and 4'7, the front of the boxlike structure being formed by a plate 48 which extends at the top slightly above the flange 46 and terminates in a rearwardly bent flange 49. Along its bottom edge, the plate 48 has a forwardly bent horizontal flange 50 at the edge of which is a downwardly bent and somewhat rearwardly inclined flange 51. Mounted at the top of the box-like structure is a channel-shaped strip 52, the forward flange 53 of which forms, with the upper part of the plate 48, a groove 54 for the reception of the tops of the show cards 55. Mounted about midway of .the height of the plate 48 is a spacer plate 56 upon which is mounted a plate 57, plates 48, 56- and 57 beingspot welding. The upper edge of the plate 57' projects above the upper edge of spacer plate 56 so as to form a groove 58 for the reception of the lower edges of show cards 55. The lower part of the plate 57 is bent upwardly to form a flange 60 which encloses a groove 61 for a purpose which will be explained. At the lower part of the box-like structure is a reenforcing means to be described. The space under the false bottom is divided into compartments by fixed transverse partitions 72 which are located between the false bottom sections 70. The false bottom sections are preferably made hollow comprising upper and lower sheet metal members 75 and 76 having at their edges interfltting flanges welded together. A finger cup 77 is preferably mounted in a hole in the upper plate 75 so as to permit the false bottom section to be readily raised. It will be seen that a display space 80 is formed between the wall 13 and rear wall 11,

this space having a normally inclined bottom formed by the false bottom sections. This space may be. divided into compartments of the desired number and size by means of removable partitions which may be spaced anywhere within the space 80 and any desired number of which may be employed; The partitions 85 may be utilized in either of two ways and for this purpose are provided at front and rear'xgith lugs 86 and 87 pivoted on pivots 88 and- 89i'espec tively. The lugs 86 and 87 are provided with ears 90 which lie in planes parallel to the plane of the partition and with transverse flanges 91 which lie in, planes at right angles to the plane of the partition. When the lugs are turned to the position shown in Figure 7 the flanges 91 project laterally from the bottom of the partition and form feet adapted to rest on the top of the false bottom and support the partition in vertical position. When the partition is so mounted it may be moved to any position across the surface of the false bottom. In some'inparticularly in Figure 3. The partitions 85 are made slightly shorter than the distance between the plate 30 of the front wall and the flange 60. Accordingly they may be moved laterally over the false bottom when the lugs are in the first position mentioned. When, however, a partition is mounted directly on the top of the flxed partition it may he slid slightly towards the rear so as to engage its upper rear corner in the corresponding notch 94 as shown in Fig. 4.

Adjustable means are provided for supporting the forward ends of-the false bottom sections 70 provide bins for the sale goods, these show cards a fiat bottom compartment upon which goods may be piled when certain types of display are desired. For other purposes the downwardly inclined bottom is preferable. The means for supporting the forward ends of the partitions comprise bars which are pivoted near one end on pivots 96 to the fixed partitions '72. The ends of the bars nearest to the pivots are provided with flanges 97 on which the false bottom sections rest when in downwardly inclined position, while the other ends of the bars are provided with flanges, 98 upon which the false bottom sections are. adapted to rest when the bars are reversed to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4.

An important characteristic of the hinged false bottom sections '70 is that they may be swung into an upright and preferably slightly rearwardly inclined position, as shown at the left hand end of Figure 1, and in dotted lines in Figure 4. The false bottom sections may be retained in this position against accidental knocking over by means of the flanges 91 on the lugs 87 at the back of the partitions 85. When the false bottom sections are placed in this position, comparatively deep bins are provided, adapted to contain a substantial stock of goods, and particularly adapted for the reception of sale goods. The under surfaces of the false bottom sections 70 are provided with show card retaining means which in the construction illustrated comprise tongues struck out from the plate 76 as shown in Figures 1 and 4. A pair of tongues 100 are located near the free edge of each false bottom section, these tongues being connected to the plate '76 along lines parallel with the side edges of the bottom section, and another pair of tongues 101 is provided near the hinged edge of the bottom section connected to the plate along a line parallel to such hinged edge. These lugs are adapted to retain large show cards so that when the false bottom sections are moved up so as ,to

are prominently displayed, thereby drawing attention to the goods on sale. An adequate provision for sale goods may thus be instantly provided, but always in a predetermined and orderly form and provided with means for holding show cards of uniform size. Sales of any desired goods may thus be quickly provided for in a definite manner without destroying the attractive appearance of the display case as a whole. are on sale in the manner described, the removable partitions 85 are preferably mounted on the top of fixed partitions '72, thereby adding to the depth of the bins holding the sale goods. the false -bottom sections are lifted so as to provide the sale bins and to display the enlarged sale show cards, they at the same time cover and conceal the regular show cards for the corresponding spaces, thereby obviating the necessity for removal of such regular show cards. In some instances the removable partitions between adjacent spaces will be omitted and if desired a single large show card may be utilized extending across more than one of the up-turned false bottom sections. This may be readily accomplished by mounting such large show cards behind the tongues 100 and 101 at the edge of one bottom section and extending the same across the fronts When goods When of the desired number of bottom sections, and engaging the other end of the show card in the lugs at the remote edge of the last up-turned bottom section. This may be readily accomplished owing to the fact that the tongues do not project far beyond the surfaces of the bottom sections so that the show card will pass over the tongues on the intermediate bottom sections without being displaced sufficiently to destroy its attractive appearance. The show card should, of

course, be arranged to engage behind all of the lower tongues 101, as these are all alignment.

Another way of mounting show cards in connection with these compartments is to utilize a stiff card which is stuck behind the tongues 33 on the wall 24 so that such card will stand upright in the front of the compartment, as indicated at 1Q5 in Figure'l.

Holders may also be provided where desired to carry signs projecting above the back of the display case; Such a sign holder is indicated at (Figures 1 and 4), and comprises preferably a sheet metal box-like structure having at the front thereof a peripheral flange 111 adapted to retain a show card. The holder 110 may be removably supported in any suitable manner as by means of the rods115 mounted in the show card holder, and the lower ends of which project through holes in the top of the back of the display case and through holes in brackets 116 provided for the purpose (Figure 4). Spacing sleeves 117 are mounted on the rods so as to arranged in support the show card holder at the proper disover as many spaces as is desirable. These covers comprise glass plates mounted in metal frames 121 which at their rear edges are hinged by means of hinges 122 to angle pieces 123' having vertical flanges 124 adapted to be received and removably retained in the grooves 61. At their front edges the covers are provided with flanges 125 which rest on the top of the intermediate partition of the show case and also afford means by which the covers may be raised for access to the contents. If glass covered compartments are used to contain loose material such as candy or nuts, the partitions 85 aremounted firmly on the fixed partitions 72 as already describedand thus form a closed glass covered compartment. Of course, when glass covers are used, the false bottom sections are-in either their horizontal or downwardly inclined positions.

The spaces between the fixed partitions 72 and, below the false bottom sections are preferably occupied by drawers 130. The backs of these drawers fit the openings already referred to in the lower back plate 40. The drawers are preferably formed of sheet metal and in an opening in the back 131 of each is mounted a finger cup 40,. covers are provided which'may be placedthat the tops of the walls of the partitions '72 are inclined, which, as shown, is the same as the angle of inclination of the false bottom sections 70 when in the position shown in Figure 3. The end walls 184 are preferably provided with finger holes 186 these receptacle and counter members may be used in either of two relatively invertedpositions. For instance, they may be mounted in one or more of the compartments 80 with their open sides up and with the narrow walls 182 towards the .front, in which position they are adapted to receive displays of goods, especially sale goods. The inclination of the inclined edges 185 of the end walls is preferably made the same as the inclination of the tops of thepartitions 85, so that while the end walls of the members project above such partitions, a harmonious effect is nevertheless produced. When the members 180 are mounted in the compartments with their open sides up, the false bottoms of the compartments are supported in horizontal position, so as to firmly support the receptacle 180. It will be seen that a display of goods may be placed in the receptacle 180 which may be readily shifted from one of the display cases to another without disturbing the goods therein, or-it may be put out'to display the goods temporarily and then bodily removed.

The member 180 may also be mounted in the display case in inverted position as shown in Figure 1, in which case the bottom 181 forms a raised counter upon which goods may be piled for display or which may be used as a wrapping or change counter. Obviously, the inverted receptacle member may. be locatedanywhere in the space 80 where such counter may be desired, the adjustable partitions being placed accordingly. When the member is used as a counter the corresponding false bottom member or mem-.

wider wall 183 towards the front. As the inclina-- tion of the edges 185 is the same as the inclination of the false bottom members, the member 180 will seat in the compartment with the inverted bottom of the counter firmly held in horizontal position. Preferably, the outside of the bottom 181 is a smoothly finished surface so as to make a counter of attractive appearance. The walls of the member 180 are preferably made sufliciently high so that when used to form a counter the horizontal surface thereof will be raised approximately as high as, or higher than, the level where the rear ends of the partitions 85 contact with the rear wall of the display case. The. counter surface is then entirely exposed above the compartment space 80.

' In Figures 11 and 12 a novel counter and show case construction is illustrated in combination with the display case described. 200 represents the body of the counter which is preferably made of sheet metal and on the top of which rests the display case. The counter and show case is preferably mounted on a base 201 which is of reduced area so as to leave the space 202 which provides a foot clearance for persons standing either in be utilized to hold additional stocks of the ar- .ticles' in the display case above or they may be utilized to hold alternative stocks of goods so that when it is desired to change the goods on display the same may be packed in the drawers 130 and the latter exchanged with the drawers 206 from which articles may be withdrawn for display in the compartments above. In front of the body of the counter 200 is a glass extension or show case 210 the rear wall of which is formed by the front wall of the counter body. The glass top of the extension or show case portion of the counter forms a counter or shelf for the convenience of purchasers where they may examine the goods, etc. attention will naturally .be attracted to the objects on display in the show case. The show case is preferably provided with adjustable shelves as indicated at 211 and with a longitudinal reflector 212 containing electric lights for the illumination of the goods on display.

While I have illustrated and described but one preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that changes maybe made therein and the invention embodied in other structures. I do not, therefore, desire to limit myself to the specific constructions illustrated, but intend to cover my invention broadly in whatever form its principles may be utilized.

I claim:

1. In a display case, a bottom, spaced longitudinal walls, displaceable false bottom sections dividing the space between said longitudinal walls into upper and lower sections, fixed partitions dividing said. lower section into compartments and movable partitions for dividing said upper section into compartments, said movable partitions having lugs movably mounted thereon, said lugs having feet adapted to be moved into position to rest on said false bottom sections, and also having ears thereon adapted to engage with 1 said fixed partitions when said lugs are moved to another position.

2. In a display case, a bottom, spaced longitudinal walls, displaceable false bottom sections dividing the space between said longitudinal walls into upper and lower sections, fixed partitions dividing said lower section into compartments and movable partitions for dividing said upper section into compartments, said movable partitions havinglugs pivoted thereon, said lugs having ears extending in planes parallel with the plane of the partition and flanges extending at right angles to said plane.

3. In a display case, a bottom, spaced longitudinal walls, displaceable false bottom sections dividing the space between said longitudinal walls into upper and lower sections, fixed partitions dividing said lower section into compartments and removable partitions for dividing said upper section into compartments mounted on said fixed partitions and capable of limited endwise movement thereon, said removable partitions being shorter. than the distance between the longitudinal walls, atleast one of said walls carrying a member provided with slots adapted to engage the edges of said removable partitions so as to At the same time their assist in supporting said removable partitions in an upright position on said fixed partitions.

4. In a display case, a bottom, spaced longitudlnal walls, means for dividing the space between said walls into compartments, one of said longitudinal walls having means thereon forming an upwardly facing channel extending longitudinally of said wall, a member having a fiange adapted to removably engage in said channel, and a transparent cover plate hinged to said flanged member.

5. In a display case, a bottom, spaced longitudinal walls, displaceable false bottom sections dividing the space between said longitudinal walls into upper and lower sections, fixed partitions dividing said lower section into compartinents and movable partitions for dividing said upper section into compartments, the rear longitudinal wall having a U-shaped plate secured thereto so as to provide an upwardly facing channel, an inverted channel shaped member, one of the flanges of which is adapted to be 'removably mounted in said U-shaped channel member, a frame hinged to said inverted channel member, a flange projecting from the front edge of said frame and adapted to rest on top of the forward longitudinal wall and a transparent cover plate in said frame.

8. In a sheet metal display case, a bottom, spaced longitudinal walls, displaceable false bot-. tom sections dividing the space between said longitudinal walls into upper and lower sections, fixed partitions dividing said lower section into compartments and movable partitions for divid-' ing said upper section into compartments, the upper parts only of said longitudinal walls beins formed of box-like construction and drawers inserted into said lower compartments through openings in the rear wall thereof below the part of said wall of box-like construction.

'I. In a display case, a bottom, spaced longitudinal walls, displaoeable false bottom sections dividing the space between said longitudinal walls into upper and lower sections, fixed partitions dividing said lower section into compartments and movable partitions for dividing said upper section into compartments, hinged means securing said false bottom sections to one of said longitudinal walls and pivotally mounted means for supporting the free edges of said false bottom sections at either one of the two elevations.

8. In a display case, a bottom, spaced longitudinal walls, displaceable false bottom sections dividing the space between said longitudinal walls into upper and lower sections, fixed partitions dividing said lower section into compartments and movable partitions for dividing said upper section into compartments, hinged means securing said false bottom sections to one of said longitudinal walls and pivotally mounted means for supporting the free edges of said false bottom sections at either one.of the two elevations, said means comprising bars pivotally supported on said fixed partitions, said bars being pivoted eccentrically so that they have short legs adapted to support said'false bottom sections in a downwardly inclined position and long legs adapted to support said false bottom sections in a substantially horizontal position.

- 9. A sheet metal display case" comprising a bottom, flanges at the front thereof, a transparent plate supported by said flanges and forming a front longitudinal wall, an intermediate longitudinal wall mounted on said bottom and including a box-like sheet metal structure, a rear longitudinal wall mounted on said bottom and including a box-like sheet metal structure, a false bottom section hingedly supported on said rear longitudinal wall, said false bottom section comprising a box-like sheet metal structure, a finger cup mounted in said false bottom section,-and a sheet metal drawer located beneath said false bottom section.

10. The combination with a display case having a compartment including a forward wall and a rear wall higher than said forward wall, a hinged false bottom member, means supporting said false bottom member in forwardly and downwardly inclined position and for supporting said bottom member in substantially horizontal position, of a combined receptacle and counter member having a bottom and longitudinal and end walls and adapted to be mounted in said compartment in either of two inverted positions, in one of which said member is placed with its bottom down so as to form a receptacle and in the other of which the member is placed with its bottom up whereby said bottom forms a counter, the edges of the end walls of said member being inclined at the same angle to the walls as the false bottom member when in inclined position so as to fit thereon and support said counter in horizontal position.

CHARLES D. BEDDINGFIELD. 

